Tunnel-Vision Thursday

A State of Flow

What is flow, and how do we make it happen? In Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, he describes flow as “the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.”

Your attention is so intensely focused on what you're doing that you lose all track of time. I'll admit—I find it extremely difficult to get into a flow state. But when we do, flow can be a game changer. It inspires creativity, boosts productivity, and brings a profound sense of fulfillment.

But here's the problem: we're so hooked on those dopamine hits—from checking emails, texts, or getting up every minute to do something around the house—that it becomes nearly impossible to focus on anything for long. Our attention gets pulled in a million directions, and before we know it, we’re no longer in flow.

I’m guilty of this too, especially when I try to read or even just relax. My mind starts racing with all the “shoulds” I haven’t done yet. Right now, as I’m writing this, my attention keeps pulling me away, and every time I give in to distractions, I lose my flow and waste time getting back into it. Time I could’ve spent in the bliss of focus.

But when I am in flow, I feel at peace, and I wish I could get there more often. Like anything, getting into flow takes practice.

So, how do we create this tunnel vision or extreme focus?

For some of us, it’s about as easy as passing up an icy cold fountain Coke on a blistering summer day (if you read my Wobbly Wednesday post, you’ll know exactly what I mean ☺️).

One technique I tried—despite being skeptical at first—was the Pomodoro Technique. I even bought a Pomodoro timer to give it a real shot. What I found was that just sitting down and dedicating a set amount of time to focus on one task was immensely helpful. Even if it was just reading a book uninterrupted for 25 minutes. It took some time for my mind to settle, but I noticed that the more I used the timer, the better I got at committing to that time block.

The key takeaway? Even if you don’t accomplish everything you want in that timeframe, you’re still teaching your mind to focus and that this time is designated for one specific task. That alone is an accomplishment.

If focus is a challenge, like it is for me, your mind will wander. But here’s your chance to practice self-compassion and gently guide your focus back to what you're doing. Just like meditation, some days will be easier than others—and that's OK. The more you notice your thoughts without judgment and bring your focus back, the better you'll get at it.

Can you remember a time when you were in a flow state? Maybe you didn’t even realize it—you were biking for hours without a care in the world, writing something and totally immersed in the process, or hanging out with friends and enjoying the moment without distraction.

How can you bring more flow into your life?

Ready to put flow into practice today? Set aside 25 minutes, free of distractions, and see what happens. It’s not about being perfect—just about getting better with every attempt. Share your flow moments with me—how did it feel to truly focus, even if just for a little while? You might be surprised at what you discover.